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THE SECOND LOUISIANA, 



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2(1 



May 27th, 1863. 

By GEORQE H. BOKER. 

4f 



Dark as the clouds of even, 
Ranked in the western heaven, 
Waiting the breath that lifts 
All the dread mass, and drifts 
'I'empest and falling brand 
Over a ruined land; — 
So still and orderly, 
Arm to arm, knee to knee. 
Waiting the great event, 
Stands the black regiment. 

Down the long dusky line 
Teeth gleam and eyeballs shine; 
And the bright bayonet. 
Bristling and firmly set, 
Flashed with a purpose grand, 
Long ere the sharp command 
Of the fierce rolling drum 
Told them their time had come. 
Told them what work was sent 
For the black regiment. 

'"^Xow," the flag-sergeant cried, 
"Though death and hell betide, 
Let the whole nation see 
If we are fit to be 
Free in this land ; or bound 
Down, like the whining hound — 
Hound with red stripes of pain 
In our old chains again I" 
Oh I what a shout there went 
From the black regisnent! 

"Charge I" Trump and drum awoke. 
Onward the ])ondmen broke; 
Uayonet and sabre-stroke 
Vainly opposed their rush. 
Through the wild battle's crush. 
With but one thought aflush, 
Driving their lords like chaff, 
In llie guns' mouths they laugh; 



Or at (he slippery brands 
Leaping with open hands, 
Down they tear man and horge, 
Down in their awful course ; 
Trampling with bloody heel 
Over the crashing steel, 
All their eyes forward bent, 
Kill shed the blaek regiment, 

' 'Freedom V' their battle-cry — 
"Freedom! ot- leave to die!" 
Ah ! and th«y meant the woi'd. 
Not as with us 'tis h«ard, 
N'Ot a mere party-shout: 
They gave their spirits out:; 
'I'vusted the •end to God, 
And on the g<ivy sod 
Kolled in triumpharit l/lood. 
Glad to strike oae free blow. 
Whether for weal cr woe ; 
Oiad to breathe one free breathy 
Though on th-e lips of d«ath. 
Praying — alas! in vain ! — 
'J'h.at they might fall again. 
So they c«uld once more see 
That burst to liberty ! 
This was what "freedom" Xeut 
To the black regiment. 

ll'iiYidreds c,n huwdrodf fell ; 
Ymi they are resting well ; 
Scofirges and shackles strojifr 
X'ever shall do them Avi-ong. 
O, to the living few, 
.*^oldiers, be, just and tnu'! 
Hail them as comrades tried ; 
Fight with them side by side; 
Never, in field or tetti, 
Sco»*n the ))lack j-egiujcMi .' 



IN sxcHANae 



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